Car hire Southampton

Cheap Car Hire Southampton

About Car Hire in Southampton Airport

A trip to Southampton will satisfy your craving for culturally rich urban destinations if you value history, art, and architecture. Southampton, famous for being the departure port of the original Titanic, is densely packed with attractions, green areas, and shopping centres. When you're not bouncing between sites or relaxing in the parks, you can attend one of the many cultural events. There is no better way to see this beautiful city than in a hired vehicle.

The primary gateway to Southampton is Southampton Airport (SOU), located approximately 7km away from the city. With a record of over 2 million passengers in 2016, it is the 18th busiest airport in the UK. British Airways, Aer Lingus, KLM, Loganair, and EasyJet are the major airlines serving Southampton Airport. The most popular destinations people usually visit from Southampton are Geneva, Dublin, Amsterdam, Mykonos, and Manchester.

Once you arrive at Southampton Airport, collect your luggage, and complete the formalities, make your way to the terminal exit. The major car hire agencies will have their desks a stone’s throw away from the terminal. Southampton's most popular car hire agencies are Sixt, Alamo, Europcar, National, Avis, and Budget. Depending on your requirements, the agencies will have all car models available, ranging from compacts to SUVs that can comfortably seat eight people. In addition, these agencies will have automobiles available in both automatic and stick-shift transmissions. However, we recommend booking ahead of time if you have a specific car for hire in mind.

Downtown Car Hire in Southampton

Southampton boasts an outstanding public transportation system that includes everything from buses to trains and taxis. However, because everyone needs to get someplace on time, the majority of these transportation networks follow a strict timetable. Moreover, you cannot reach wherever and whenever you want to go in time. This can be a bummer, especially if you are travelling with your loved ones. Hence, the best way to travel around Southampton is by hiring a vehicle. Additionally, hiring a vehicle in the city rather than at the airport may help you save money, as airport car hire agencies often charge a premium for the convenience. Moreover, parking space is often a problem at airports. So, you may find better car hire options within the city.

Driving in Southampton

Road trips are the best way to get up close and personal with the roads and the destination itself. Here is a list of some of the driving rules to consider before you depart for a road trip in Southampton:

• In the UK, everyone drives on the left-hand side and overtakes on the right.
• The minimum legal age to hold a driving licence in the UK is 17.
• Everyone travelling in a vehicle must wear their seatbelts.
• Using a mobile phone while driving is not allowed unless it is being used for sat nav. However, hands-free devices are permitted.
• It is mandatory to give way to vehicles flashing their sirens.
• There are many types of roads in the UK. ‘M’ indicates motorways, ‘A’ indicates main roads, ‘B’ ‘C’ and ‘D’ indicate smaller roads connecting to the main road/motorway.
• The national speed limit is 60 mph on main roads and 70 mph on motorways.
• The maximum legal blood alcohol limit in the UK is 0.05%
• If you are travelling with children under 12 or 135 cm, they must be secured in a child safety seat.

Car Hire Agencies in Southampton

You can easily hire your desired car in Southampton depending on your preferred budget and requirements. The top firms in the region include Sixt, Alamo, Europcar, National, Avis, and Budget. Most people in Southampton prefer car brands such as Peugeot, Volkswagen, Skoda, Hyundai, and BMW.

Top Road Trips from Southampton

Road trips from Southampton are a fantastic opportunity to see this port city's environment. You will never run out of things to see and do here. There is something for everyone, whether you wish to explore the local history, visit the shore, or go nearby. Here are a few top-rated destinations worth visiting:

Do you enjoy rock music? On the Isle of Wight, pay tribute to Jimi Hendrix, the rock great. The Isle of Wight lies directly over the Solent from Southampton and is accessible by car ferry from Town Quay. Osbourne House, Queen Victoria's historic residence, is worth a visit once there, but many day-trippers prefer to relax, observe locals, and soak up the laid-back vibe. To get here, take the A3054 to East Cowes and then take a ferry to the Isle of Wight.

Hampshire's Test Valley, named after the River Test, is home to a plethora of easily accessible attractions. While there are many new routes to discover here, you can also stroll around the 44-mile radius. If you enjoy fishing, you may also do so in the River Test!